Charlestown man to be arraigned in wife’s death

CLAREMONT — An arraignment for the Charlestown man accused of killing his estranged wife last June has been continued until Thursday to allow time for a full hearing, including a bail hearing, according to a Sullivan County Superior Court clerk Monday.

James R. Robarge, 44, was initially charged and arraigned on a second-degree murder charge in the 5th Circuit Court District Division on Aug. 26, 2013, after he was extradited from Vermont.

In December, the Sullivan County grand jury indicted Robarge on first- and second-degree murder charges in the death of his wife, 42-year-old Kelly Robarge.

A court clerk said Monday his defense requested a two- hour block of time.

Robarge continues to be held at the Sullivan County House of Corrections in Unity.

On June 27, Kelly Robarge was babysitting her 1-year-old grandson and had filed for divorce the morning when she went missing. Investigators allege Robarge murdered her that day, and then attempted to cover his tracks by dumping her body in a wooded area in Unity and cleaning up the crime scene.

On July 6, Kelly Robarge’s remains were found about 300 yards off Britton Road in Unity.

Investigators found blood splatter and evidence that large amounts of blood had been cleaned up at their home of many years, 124 Happy Acres Road in Charlestown.

The first-degree indictment alleges Robarge purposely caused the death of Kelly Robarge by inflicting trauma to her body, according to court documents.

The second-degree murder indictment alleges Robarge did — with force and arms — commit the crime of second-degree murder in Charlestown by recklessly causing the death of Kelly Robarge by inflicting trauma to her body under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life.